The Top 10 Best Snowboard Ski Helmets for Kids

When it comes to finding protective gear for our children, it should be a thorough and well thought out search to ensure their overall safety, regardless of sport or activity. Especially when it comes to keeping those little heads safe, a snow helmet for kids needs to have an optimal build, construction, additional safety mechanisms and of course, great style. Today we wanted to compile a roundup of the best snow helmets for children in the market today, and we made sure they held their own when it came to overall protection and confidence knowing your child is riding safe, especially in such a concerning environment such as snowboarding or skiing.

Picking the best helmets for children

Firstly, we’ll need to talk safety. When it comes to selecting a model, we recommend looking further into what the actual material is they use for the construction of helmets. Our recommendations include in-mold construction, some type of EPS liner, ABS polycarbonate, or better, other additional safety mechanisms built-in to the helmet such as MIPS (we’ll explain what that is when the time comes). Of course, all helmets will essentially do their job, but the sturdier the material is, the better for our children’s heads of course. It also ensures that the helmet won’t become defective after just one fall (many will have that dent in there forever and will ask for you to purchase a new one next season).

Next on the list for finding the best helmet for kids will have to be sizing. Before you make your buy, you’re going to need either your child’s hat size or a tape measure handy to measure their little head’s circumference:

Of course, we’re going to need to take their personality and style into mind, right? We all love matching their outfits (some more than others, of course), so make sure the style and color options available with the pick is what you foresee your little one taking a liking to. We’d of course recommend getting their attention for a moment to pick out their favorite, or if you already have their other snow gear and clothing, make sure it matches!

Lastly, if by any chance one of your little ones happens to fall, always remember to consult a professional or certified and licensed medic at the mountain to assess them for concussion symptoms! Please be safe out there!

The best kids helmets

Giro Launch

To begin, let’s take a look at a highly rated model among users and for a quite a few years at that. Since it isn’t completely “new”, we have confidence in knowing it’s stood the test of time and now have user reviews to back up the purchase. The Launch is created by one of our favorite helmet brands out there, Giro, and this one particularly brings forth a comfortable and lightweight helmet that comes in various colors and sizes to satisfy the personality of your child. Using an In-Mold construction, the inner layer of the helmet is lined with a soft foam that helps to absorb impact, while the polycarbonate shell provides durable protection in precarious situations. You can also adjust the tilt of the helmet to fit with all goggles or give it a more peripheral view using a dial located on the base of the back of the snow helmet. Finally, to keep kids from overheating or sweating through a day on the slopes, this snow helmet contains vents that help to move cool air in while simultaneously removing hot, uncomfortable air, making the Giro Launch one of the best snow helmets for kids in our opinion. What’s even better is their Launch combo package which also includes goggles for a cheaper price if you still need to buy your little some specs!

Lucky Bums Doodlebug

Coming in at less than one pound and multiple colors and designs to attract all kids style preferences, the Lucky Bums Doodlebug helmet is the multipurpose helmet designed for safety and comfort for toddler-aged children. A secure choice for those beginning their adventures in the snow, the lightweight Doodlebug has a dial located on the back that makes it easy to adjust for all sizes, while the chin strap contains additional padding for a comfy, all around fit (which is essential when trying to make a child wear just about anything, especially on their head as we all know). In terms of durability, the EPS liner on the inside of the helmet is designed to withstand and protect from impact, working in conjunction with the durable outer shell. A higher-priced option that is great for the price, the Lucky Bums Doodlebug is an eye-catching and protective snow helmet for kids.

Smith Zoom Jr.

Next is the Smith Zoom Jr. helmet which is another one of our favorite brands in the market today. This offers a well-reviewed and budget friendly option. Built using an in-mold design, the EPS foam liner works in tandem with the PC shell to provide a lightweight but fortified protection for a younger one’s expedition on the slopes. With ventilation and climate control built into the construction, hot and stale air is removed and replaced with cool, outer air, making the stickiness of sweat a non-issue with the younger generation and giving them more of a reason to wear it in longer use. There is also a goggle lock feature that helps goggles to stay firmly in place while receiving ventilation from the helmet, thus producing less fogging and better visibility. This snow helmet is also adjustable using the dial system, adding to the simplicity of making sure that everything fits nice and snug for safety. With the option of choosing between a multitude of colors, the Smith Zoom Jr. is another one of our picks as the best snowboard and ski helmets for children.

K2 Entity

As a multi-purpose helmet for both snow and biking sports, the K2 Entity is one of the most versatile and best snow helmets for kids. With an outer shell material made from ABS polycarbonate for lasting durability, this snow helmet uses EPS lining like the others to create comfortable and lightweight protection (bonus points for the fact that the lining can be removed and washed). The venting system helps air to circulate throughout the helmet and provide fresh and cool ventilation to the user. It is also equipped with clips to retain goggles, making sure that protective eyewear stays in place in all situations on the slopes. One of the best features of the K2 Entity in our opinion is the dial fit system which is designed to adjust the size of the snow helmet for optimal usage as we’ve seen in a few of our prior picks. This eliminates a lot of stress and worry that you may waste money as your child grows, not to mention protection since knowing the fit is snug will ensure less wiggle room in case of falls.

Roxy Misty

Designed for the adventurous girls in mind, the Misty helmet by Roxy is a lightweight, plastic helmet that comes equipped with its own compatible (and matching) goggles, making it in here as another one of the best snowboard and ski helmets for children. Built with shock absorbing foam lining, the Misty is very safe but also keeps you warm. It is equipped with a fleece lining around the inner shell, as well as sherpa-fleece ear pads (some of the most comfortable out of the picks) for continuous warmth throughout the day. In addition, there is a ventilation system that circulates air throughout the snow helmet to ensure thermal comfort for long wear use. The goggles included come equipped with an anti-fog treatment that is supported by this ventilation system, ensuring that this headgear is offering all around protection. A reasonable price with a quality value makes the Roxy Misty a strong addition to the list, not to mention the beautiful style Roxy always has available for young ladies.

Anon Rime

Budget-friendly and highly reviewed, the Anon Rime by Burton is a well-known name and helmet constructed for durability meant for the rough-and-tumble kids who need protection from all kinds of trouble. Made with ABS polycarbonate, the two-piece EnduraShell Burton often includes in their gear for extra safety provides reliable strength and is resistant to dents. This snow helmet is also easy to adjust, with the option to remove both the liners and the ear pads for comfort and fit (as well as wash them for longevity). This allows adding abilities to provide an extra layer for warmth. Being goggle compatible is also a huge plus. The Rime gives two options for goggle wear that either fits underneath the helmet for more of a “snug” fit or a StrapStash feature that allows for the goggles to be under and through the helmet for a more secure design. Finally, climate control is never a problem with the built-in ventilation system, working to push the moist air out and bring the cool air in, ensuring all day comfort making the Anon Rime a great choice as one of the best snow helmets for kids.

Salomon Kiana

In the world of snow sports, Salomon remains a leading producer in the best equipment, and the Kiana helmet is no exception. The design of this helmet was to provide safety and comfort, but also to have more of a new-school edge. While the ear pads provide extra warmth on those colder days on the slopes, they can be removed in favor of other close-fitting headwear, such as a beanie. The ventilation also uses an airflow concept, bringing in cooler air to help remove and circulate condensation that occurs through perspiration. In addition, the fit of the helmet can be adjusted due to the custom dial that helps to modify sizing to best fit the child while in use. With impact foam lining and a design that allows for goggles over-the-top, the Salomon Kiana is a reasonably priced helmet that proves to be like the others as one of the best snow helmets for kids, holding a lot of the essential features and specifications we’ve recommended thus far as we near the end.

Giro Crue MIPS

Another Giro option to add to the list, the Crue MIPS has a hard shell exterior meant to ensure kids will stay safe while on the slopes. It is one of the best snowboard and ski helmets for kids and is available in a variety of colors because of one main quality — MIPS (that link is a video on the system). The Multi-Directional Impact Protection System is a type of safety mechanism built-in to the helmet that protects from impact at all different angles rather than just head-on. It’s composed of two components that make the top part of the helmet actually rotate to absorb the impact, as opposed to allowing the little one’s heads to do so at certain falls. Easily adjustable, this snow helmet also utilizes what the brand calls the “Auto Loc 2”, which is a system that cradles the head of the wearer and uses elastic straps at the base of the head to adjust the fit of the helmet through three different sizes. As with other Giro helmets, the Crue MIPS contains Super Cool vents, designed to allow breathability throughout the headgear and bring in cooling air for thermal regulation. The Giro Crue MIPS is designed to fit lower on the head and is equipped with a retainer for goggles that can also be removed.

Bern Bandita

A smaller fitting helmet with a visor included in the design, the Bern Bandita is the year-round helmet that is considered as one of the best snow helmets for youth if your child is a multi-sport enthusiast. As a transitional helmet, the Bandita has a thinner construction on the exterior shell, making it lightweight while still keeping the right amount of durability. In addition, the EPS foam located within the inner shell protects from impact by distributing the force of a hit. Ear pads and liners can be inserted or removed depending on the time of year, as well as the vents that can be opened and closed through a rotating pad located at the top of the helmet. Complete with a visor for sun protection and adjustable straps for a sizable fit, the Bern Bandita helmet is a very well-reviewed option at a slightly higher price than the others in here.

Giro Nine 10 Jr.

Lastly we look at another option from Giro helmet, this time it’s the Nine 10 Jr. Built with an in-mold construction, the fact that this has been out for 4 plus years helps give us the longevity factor when choosing an effective helmet for our youth. This polycarbonate snow helmet goes above and beyond to make sure that thermal regulation is top priority, equipping this helmet with fourteen different vents to promote circulation of air. These vents can even be sealed in cases of exceptionally cold weather, preserving heat for defense against the elements. This snow helmet also includes a vent within the center of the helmet that brings air to the goggle region and acts as an anti-fog shield. This is especially useful when concerned about potentially loosing visibility due to fogging. Adjustable straps and a dial system make it easy to find the perfect fit, and a goggle clip ensures that eye protection remains in place for those little speed demons out there. With a comfortable design and an attention to protection, the Giro Nine 10 Jr. is the last pick as our best snowboard and ski helmets for kids, and we hope at least one of these models has stood out to you.

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